Mental Health is still a taboo in our country, especially older generation do not want to talk about this. For them, suffering from mental illness is as same as being crazy or mental, which is a shame for them.  Today, a lot of people especially teenagers and even adults are suffering from mental illness like depression, anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, and also PTSD.

Post traumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric disorder that develops when a person has experienced or gone through the terrifying event that last long even after the event has ended.

Traumatic events can be anything from bullying, domestic violence, rape/sexual assault to accident, war, terrorist attack and natural disaster. They may develop strong negative response to as ordinary as loud noise and accidental touch.

Let's check out some symptoms of PTSD:

People with Post traumatic stress disorder, may experience some symptoms that are physical, psychological and behavioural. Everyone's experience of PTSD is different therefore you may experience some or all of them.

Psychological symptoms -

• Intrusive thoughts - People with PTSD may experience intrusive thoughts are often repetitive involuntary memories that won't go away. These thoughts are hard to control and gets worse when you think more about it.
• Nightmares -Some people experience distressing dreams that are uncontrollable.
• Vivid flashbacks- Flashbacks can be so vivid in which you feel like you are reliving some aspects of those traumatic events.
• Panic attack - Panic attack are common after experiencing these kinds of traumatic events.
• Mood changes - These traumatic experiences are so hard to forget that leads to constant mood change.
• Anxiety - This is a common response against any difficult situation, but in PTSD it may increase than in normal situation.

Behavioural Symptoms -

• Self Isolation - Social isolation that means distancing themselves from people, social events and situations that can remind them of distressing memories.
• Avoidance - They try to avoid remembering, talking or thinking about those events. Irritability, guilt and self-harming behaviour are also included in behavioural symptoms.
• Irritability - Being irritated is a result of inability to forget those event and constant fear and negative thoughts.
• Fear - Fear is an expected reaction of any horrifying event.
• Guilt - When something bad or inappropriate happens to us, we tend to blame ourselves. (for example: If i would have not went out today, nothing would have happened to me)
• Self harming behaviour - Sometimes when things get unbearable and all above symptoms together may lead to suicidal behaviour.

Physical symptoms -

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Chest pains
• Stomach ache

PTSD can be treated by some medications and psychotherapy. Talk to a mental health professional, take help to get better and come back to life that you always wanted to live because mental health is as important as physical health therefore, never hesitate to ask for help if you need.